Vacuum steam-heating system.



W. H. CROWLEY & A. FITZGERALD. VACUUM STEAM HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED Hmz, 1912.

1,071,214, Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. CROWLEY, OF MARINE CITY, AND AUGUSTUS FITZGERALD, OF DETROIT.

MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO MOREHEAD MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, OE' DETROIT,MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN.

VACUUM STEAM-HEATING SYSTEM.

LOIN ,2ML

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 2, 1912.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that we, lViLnr-iir H. CRow- Lm'and AUGUSTUS FITZGERALD, citizens of the United States of mericz,residing at Marine City and Detroit, in the counties of St. Clair andWayne, respectively, and State of h/lichigan, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Vacuum Steam- .l-Ieating Systems, of whichthefollowing is a specification, reference being'had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

The invention relates to vacuum steam heating systems and it is theobject of the invention to provide automatic means for maintaining thevacuum.

To this end the invention consists in the novel construction of anautomatically operating device which performs the double function of thevacuum pump and the means for returning the water of condensation to theboiler, as hereinafter s-et forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a diagrammatic'view of the system; Fig. 2is a sectional elevation of the automatically operating mechanism; Fig.3 is a horizontal section through a portion of the apparatus; and Fig. lis a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 2, showing a differentadjustment of parts.

A is a steam generator of any suitable construction, B is the outgoingsteam conduitconnected with the radiator C, and D is the return conduitfor the water of condensation leading to a receiver E from which it isreturned to the boiler.

F is an automatic device for returning the water from the tank E to theboiler' and which is of the following construction:

C is a tank or receptacle which is mounted upon a tilting framecomprising the conduits H and I connected with the hollow trunnions Jwhich latter are pivotally supported in bearings K rising from a base L.The conduit H is for the introduction of steam and is connected with theboiler by suitable connections controlled by a valve M in one of thetrunnion bearings. The conduit I is connected with a channel in theopposite trunnion and the latter is connected with inlet and outletconduits N and C having check valves lD and P therein.V

Q; is a pivot lever fulcrumed in a standard R- on the base, one end ofwhich lever is in engagement with a bearing on the tilting frame, whilethe other end is provided with a counterweight S. The bearing on the f'ame for the lever is preferably formed by alaterally projecting pin Sion an angle litting S2 forming a part of the conduit I.

T is a lever for controlling the valve M being pivotally connected to astem of said valve andhaving a fulcrum link T for connecting it 'to thebase. The free end of this lever `projects into engagement with a rollerbearing T2 which ispreferably mounted on a standard T3 engaging andrising from a bearing T'L on the pin S.

U is 'a sprinkler conduit extending into the receptacle Gr and coupledby a flexible hose U4 with a conduit `U2 forming a water supply.

V is a valve controlling the conduit U2 which is operated by a lever Vpivotally attached to the stem of the valve and also connected with afulcruin link V2.

V3 is a link pivotally connected to the lever T and depending therefrom,and Vl is a bearing at the end of the lever V slidably engaging the linkV3 and bearing against a stopA V5 thereon.

vW'ithV the construction as thus far described, in the normal positionof parts the tank or receptacle G is raised by the weight S on theAlever Q and normally rests'upon a supporting standard lV rising from thebase. In this position the connected levers T and Vl are in suchpositions as to close the valve Mand open the valve V. Thus water willbe admitted from the conduit U2 to the flexible conduit U and from thelatter to the sprinkler U` where it will be sprayed in the tank G andwill gradually lill the latter with water. lVhen the proper level isreached the weight of the tank will overhalance the weight S due to thefact that the trun'ni'onsof the tilting frame are arranged at one sideof the longitudinal axis of thc tank and thus the tank is permitted todrop until it rests upon va standard lV. This operation will adjust thelevers T and V so as to open the valve M and close the valve V. Upon theopening of the valve M, steam under the boiler pressure is admittedthrough `the conduit H which rises in the tank to a point above thewater level and the pressure of steam on the top of the water willforceit to discharge through the conduit I connected to the conduits Nand C.

The check valve P prevents the water from passing to the conduit N, butthe check valve P is free to open, permitting the water to flow throughthe conduit O which forms the discharge connection. As soon as the tankG is emptied the weight S will again operate to tilt the frame in thereverse direction and to reverse the position of the valves M and V,closing the former and opening the latter. Thus water will again beadmitted to the sprinkler U which discharges it through the steam in thetank G, causing a condensation and producing a suction or partial vacuumtherein. All communication to the tank G with the exception of theconduit N, is closed, and therefore, any liquid or air which iscontained in this conduit will be drawn into the receptacle.

The apparatus above described is connected in the system by coupling theconduit N with the receiving tank E for the water of condensation whilethe conduit O leads to the boiler. In case the return conduit D is abovethe boiler level the conduit O may lead directly to the boiler and thewater discharged therethrough will be introduced by the combined actionof the boiler steam pressure and gravity. 1f however, the return conduitD is upon a lower level than the boiler as indicated in the diagram, thewater cannot be returned directly to the boiler as that wouldnecessitate overcoming the steam pressure therein and also the elevationof the water to the proper level. This obviously could not beaccomplished by boiler pressure alone, and therefore, a second apparatusF similar to F and arranged above the boiler, is used for receiving thedischarge from the lower tank and alternately forcing the same into theboiler. The construction of the apparatus F may be just the same as Fbut the sprinkler U for causing the condensation of the steam is notessential, it being merely necessary to vent the receptacle during thelling operation, the water being raised by a steam pressure in the lowerapparatus. To simplify the construction we use the same apparatus for Fand F but provide an adjustment by which a sprinkler may be thrown outof operation and the vent provided of the following construct-ion:

X is a three-way valve arranged in the conduit U2 which in one positionof adjustment couples said conduit with the flexible conduit U and inanother position couples the conduit U with the trunnion bearing Kconnecting with the conduit H. Y is a second three-way valve located inthe conduit U2 beyond the valve V/and which in one position ofadjustment couples said conduit with the flexible conduit U and inanother position cuts on this communication and opens a vent to theconduit U2. Thus by adjusting the valves X and Y into one position theapparatus will operate as previously described while in their otherposition of adjustment the tank G is vented during the fillingoperation.

1n the operation of the heating system the automatic mechanism will actas a vacuum pump for removing both the water of condensation and the aircollect-ing in the radiator pipes. At the same time the construction isone requiring no motive power other than the steam and having neitherpiston nor other part-s liable to get out of order or become leaky.

Vhat we claim as our invention is:

1. In an automatic trap, a receptacle having a check controlled inletfor water of condensation, and a check controlled discharge, a valvecontrolled water sprinkler within said receptacle, a valve controlledsteam inlet through the upper portion of said receptacle, a weightedlever operated by the accumulation of water within said receptacle, alink having connection with valve operating mechanism for closing saidsprinkler valve and opening said steam valve and for reversing saidvalves upon the discharge of water from the receptacle.

2. In an automatic trap, a receptacle having a check controlled inletfor water of condensation and a check controlled outlet, a watersprinkler arranged in the upper' portion of said receptacle, acontrolling valve therefor, a valve controlled steam inlet to the upperportion of said receptacle, a weighted lever operated by theaccumulation of water within said receptacle, a link having connectionwith said weighted lever and operated thereby, for closing saidsprinkler valve and opening said steam inlet valve and to reverse saidvalves upon the discharge of water from the receptacle.

3. Tn anautomatic trap, the combination of a rockable receptacle havinga check controlled inlet for water of condensation, and a checkcontrolled discharge, a sprinkler arranged in the upper portion of saidreceptacle, a valve controlling the same, a valve controlled steam inletto the upper portion of said receptacle, a weighted lever operated bythe accumulation of water within said receptacle, a seat formed in oneend of said levers, a link, one end of which is adapted to be receivedby said seat and having its remaining end connected with valve operatingmechanism, to close said sprinkler valve and open said steam valve,whereby the accumulated water is ejected under the pressure of steam andfor reversing said valves by the opposite tilting of said receptaclewhen relieved from weight of the water, whereby the steam atmospherewill be condensed by the sprinkler and a vacuum will be placed on thesteam system.

a. In an automatic trap, a rockable receptacle having a check controlledinlet for lwater of condensation and a check controlled outlet, a watersprinkler in the upper portion of said receptacle, a valve controlledwater supply conduit, a flexible connection between said water supplyconduit and said sprinkler, a Valve controlled steam inlet to the upperportion of said receptacle, a weighted lever operated by theaccumulation of' water within said receptacle, a seat formed in one endof said lever, a link, one end of which is adapted to be received by theseat and having its remainingend con` nected with the valve operatingmechanism.

5. In an automatic trap, the combination of a rockable receptacle havingtrunnion supports, of check controlled inlet and outlet conduitscommunicating with said receptacle through one of said trunnionsupports, a steam inlet to said receptacle through another of saidtrunnion supports, a valve controlling` said steam inlet, a sprinkler inSaid receptacle, a water supply conduit, a flexible connection betweensaid water supply conduit and sprinkler, permitting the tilting of saidreceptacle, a valve controlling the admission of water to saidsprinkler, a weighted lever actuated by the accumulation of water withinsaid receptacle, a link having connection with said weighted lever, andsaid link being adapted to operate the valve operating mechanism.

In testimony whereof we ai'ix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

VILLIAM H. CROVLEY. AUGUSTUS FITZGERALD.

lllitnesses AMES P. BARRY, DELBERT COLLINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each,

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

